Seattle - Washington State - page 137

The Virginia Inn Although the Virginia Inn is located in tres chic Belltown,
this bar/restaurant has a decidedly old-Seattle feel, due in large part to the fact
that this place has been around since 1903. Best of all, this is a nonsmoking bar
and it serves French food! 1937 First Ave. & 206/728-1937.
Pike Place Market
Alibi Room If you've been on your feet all day in Pike Place Market and have
had it with the crowds of people, duck down the alley under the market clock
and slip through the door of this hideaway. The back-alley setting gives this
place an atmospheric speakeasy feel. Popular with artists and other creative
types. 85 Pike St. & 206/623-3180.
The Tasting Room Located in the Pike Place Market area, this cozy wine bar
has the feel of a wine cellar and is cooperatively operated by several small Wash-
ington state wineries. You can taste the wines of Camaraderie Cellars, Harlequin
Cellars, JM Cellars, Wilridge Winery, and Wineglass Cellars, or buy wine by the
glass or bottle. Light snacks are also available. 1924 Post Alley. & 206/770-WINE.
www.winesofwashington.com.
Pioneer Square
FX McRory's Located across the street from Seattle's new football stadium
and not far from Safeco Field, this bar attracts well-heeled sports fans (with the
occasional Mariners and Seahawks players thrown in for good measure). You'll
also find Seattle's largest selection of bourbons here. There's also an oyster bar
and good food. 419 Occidental Ave. S. & 206/623-4800. www.fxmcrorys.com.
Marcus's Seattle's only underground martini and cigar bar, Marcus's is hidden
beneath a Taco del Mar just off First Avenue in Pioneer Square. You'll be drink-
ing below street level with the ghosts of Seattle's past and the lounge lizards of
today. There's DJ music several nights each week. This is a much mellower alter-
native to Pioneer Square's rowdy street-level bars. 88 Yesler Way. & 206/624-3323.
BREWPUBS
Big Time Brewery and Alehouse Big Time, Seattle's oldest brewpub, is
located in the University District and is done up to look like a turn-of-the-20th-
century tavern, complete with a 100-year-old back bar and a wooden refrigera-
tor. The pub serves as many as 12 of its own brews at any given time, and some
of these can be pretty unusual. 4133 University Way NE. & 206/545-4509. www.bigtime
brewery.com.
Elysian Brewing Company Although the brewery at this Capitol Hill brew-
pub is one of the smallest in the city, the pub itself is quite large and has an
industrial feel that says “local brewpub.” The stout and strong ales are especially
good, and the brewers' creativity here just can't be beat. Hands-down the best
brewpub in Seattle. 1221 E. Pike St. & 206/860-1920. www.elysianbrewing.com.
Hales Ales Brewery and Pub Located about a mile west of the Fremont
Bridge heading toward Ballard, this is a big, lively brewpub. 4301 Leary Way NW.
& 206/706-1544. www.halesales.com.
The Pike Pub and Brewery Located in an open, central space inside Pike
Place Market, this brewpub makes excellent stout and pale ale. There's live
instrumental music a couple of nights a week and, with its comfortable couches,
the Pike is a great place to get off your feet after a day of exploring the market.
1415 First Ave. & 206/622-6044. www.pikebrewing.com.